Road Tripping with an EV
As we all know, the American notion of a road trip on an open road has been thoroughly romanticized for decades, but are we at the point where it's actually possible to take a road trip across the country in an EV? The range anxiety that many people feel when considering a road trip with an Electric Vehicle is slowly, but surely being addressed. The pure electric models on the market today have a median range of over 250 miles. The 2020 model year marked the first year anEV has achieved an EPA estimated maximum range of over 400 miles. Here at Treehouse we believe that with some planning and a little extra patience, road tripping with an EV is totally possible!
Planning is key
We cannot emphasize enough just how important it is to plan your route around charging stations in advance. An important starting point is PlugShare’s easy-to-use map that shows accommodations with free charging stations alongside the ones that must be paid for. Keep in mind, depending on the type of electric car you have, you may need an adapter to plug in and charge using public chargers (e.g. plugging any EV into a Tesla charger, for example). Make sure to plan your route around fast chargers and be mindful of range. A Better Routeplanner can also help drivers find the most efficient routes. It’s generally suggested that drivers give themselves at least a 10% buffer as they look around for chargers on the road. In the Northeast, for example, Electrify America operates a vast fast-charger network, which means most EV owners resort to Electrify America chargers exclusively when in the area. There are a number of resources available to check for operational chargers in your area, separate from PlugShare’s map. EVgo, Chargepoint, and the Alternative Fuels Data Center offer information about chargers all over the U.S. with some resources extending into Canada! In addition, hotels with EV charging stations are your new best friend. They exist for YOU, so take advantage of them whenever possible. Travel resources like Expedia have made it increasingly easy to filter hotels based on EV Charging Station access.
Energy Efficiency
This matters more than you might think! Proper vehicle maintenance and driving practices can most definitely help increase energy efficiency, and lessen the headache surrounding charging on the road. Increased and unnecessary acceleration will decrease energy efficiency. Generally, 50 mph has been cited as the ideal speed to cruise at. When on the highway, an average of 75 mph has been used for most range-related tests which is key to note when planning longer trips. Additionally, weather can also impact range. Under one test, EVs lost an average of 18.5% of their range in temperatures below freezing, at -2 degrees C (28.4 degrees F). In short, make sure to strategically factor weather into your road trip planning to save you headaches in the future.
Other Tips and Tricks
In summary, always road trip with a charging cord, extension cord, and adapters. Make sure you look for charging stations along your route ahead of time and combine charging stops with food stops or supply runs. Remember that EVs are uniquely suited for highway driving and newer EV models continue to show increased range capabilities. Planning clear routes, mapping charging stations, and remaining aware of the factors that influence energy efficiency will make you take road tripping on the open road to a whole new level!
Check out The Ultimate Guide to Road Tripping with an EV for more information!
